Philippines, 29 Mar 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Magsayo stays patient in lockdown


PhilBoxing.com



Mark Magsayo (L) poses with trainer Freddie Roach.

IBF No. 4 and WBC No. 5 featherweight contender Mark Magsayo was supposed to leave for Los Angeles with his wife Frances to start training with Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym three weeks ago but with the lockdown, he’s staying patient at home, waiting for the crisis to finally blow away.

Magsayo, 24, recently signed a contract with MP Promotions and is being groomed to fight for the world crown. When the title crack will come is a question mark at the moment because of the coronavirus outbreak. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons had planned a bout for Magsayo in L. A. or Las Vegas on May 16 and another soon after. He’s fast-tracking Magsayo’s climb to the top since the slugger from Tagbilaran City is way overdue. Magsayo was once ranked No. 1 by the WBC but a layoff of 1 1/2 years due to contractual issues took him out of the radar until Gibbons came along.

“Katabi ng bahay namin sa Pasig ay basketball court na walang tao pag umaga kaya jogging ako doon araw-araw, skipping rope, shadow boxing at balbo boarding,” he said. “Disiplina din sa pagkain. Just keep moving, ‘yan ang sabi sa akin ni coach Freddie. Kung ano ang kayang gawin na papawis ay gawin sa bahay. Let’s make the best out of this situation and keep our discipline. Lilipas din itong panahon ng crisis. Dasal lang tayo at ingat.”

Magsayo said Roach reached out to him in a comment on Instagram. “Sabi niya, hang in there,” said Magsayo whose record is 20-0, with 14 KOs. “Excited ako talaga mag-training sa kaniya pero itong situation ay out of our control.” At Wild Card, Magsayo said Roach will line up an army of sparring partners to put him in top shape. He used to train at Wild Card during his ALA Boxing days but never with Roach. “Sa sparring, maraming dumadayo na champions kaya ‘dami kong matututunan,” he said. “Dati, naka-sparring ko si (Jesus) Cuellar (former WBA featherweight champion from Argentina). Si coach Freddie ang pipili ng ka-sparring ko. Kahit sino, basta mayroon akong matutunan.”

Magsayo said when the time comes, he’ll be ready to challenge either WBC titleholder Gary Russell, Jr. of Washington, D. C. or IBF ruler Josh Warrington of Leeds, England. Russell, 31, totes a 31-1 record, with 18 KOs and has made five successful title defenses since winning the crown in 2015. Warrington, 29, has repulsed three challengers since claiming the throne in 2018 and boasts a 30-0 record, with 7 KOs. “Kaya ko ang power ni Russell at si Warrington, malakas ang stamina,” said Magsayo. “Twice na akong lumaban sa US. Sobrang motivated ako kasi more than half ng taong nanood Pilipino. Banderang Pilipino ang hawak ko kaya whatever happens, ‘di ako susuko sa laban.”

Magsayo, whose foreign boxing idols are Mike Tyson and Roy Jones, is the youngest of four. Two brothers tried their luck in the ring but never turned pro. His father Joseph, 54, used to be a baker and now drives a tricycle in Bohol. His mother Sheila died of kidney failure when he was 14. Magsayo said life was difficult growing up as he sold ice cream and bread in the streets when he was a boy. Then, he found a calling in boxing. Former Tagbilaran City Mayor Junjun Lim took care of Magsayo and sent him to Victoriano Tirol high school where he graduated.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Wild, Wild Western Conference
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Press Conference Notes: Oscar Valdez-Liam Wilson & Seniesa Estrada-Yokasta Valle Doubleheader Set for Friday
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • WEIGHTS FROM BIG TIME BOXING USA IN DETROIT
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Undefeated Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes to Attend Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson Fight Eyes Potential Showdown with Winner
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PACE to host FIDE chess tilt this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Preserving a Legacy: The Birth of the Philippine Boxing Historical Society
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Garcia vs Haney: Boxing Match or A Live Mental Break Down?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Christian Mbilli-Mark Heffron Super Middleweight Main Event & Arslanbek Makhmudov-Junior Fa Heavyweight Battle Set for May 25 at Gervais Auto Center in Shawinigan, Canada
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • MATÍAS MAKES HOMECOMING DEFENSE AGAINST PARO ON JUNE 15
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • ‘ROCKY’ HERNANDEZ RETURNS AGAINST LUGO IN MEXICO ON MAY 11
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PCAP: Cavite eyeing to bounce back
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • HALL OF FAMER ANN WOLFE TO ATTEND 2024 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Gathering of champions
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Filipinos AJ Paciones and Ador Torres Make Weight for Title Fights in Highland Boxing Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Visiting Teams All Won vs Hosts; Boston Finally Loses
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Lukas to face undefeated Jaiklom on March 30 in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Sulaiman leaves Manila with fond memories
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Montano to Fight for WBO Oriental Welterweight Title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • JOSE RAMIREZ AND VERGIL ORTIZ JR. HOST FRESNO PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Joseph Adorno-Nicholas Walters Weigh-In Results
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Oscar Valdez and Sergio Rodriguez Give Back to Local Phoenix Children Ahead of Friday's ESPN+-Streamed World Title Doubleheader
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • “Granite Chin Box Off” to launch May 11th 4-fighter, 1-night super middleweight tournament
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Starling Castillo Ready For Jesus Saracho After Linking Up With Bob Santos
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Blair "The Flair" Cobbs Joins Forces with Coach Justin Gamber
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Cutiyog sweeps Imus tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.